Apologies if this has been asked and answered already, but I've read a number of threads on the topic and don't really see a definitive answer.
I bottle condition all of my beers. I am not set up to keg or do true closed transfers. So in trying to avoid adding oxygen during bottling, is the headspace in the bottles the biggest problem? If so, does it outweigh other factors to the point where things like attaching a CO2-filled balloon to my bottling bucket is a waste of time and effort? Would I be better off just using the balloon to try to purge the bottle headspace, or should I do both? I guess it's just a matter of having enough balloons, right?
Thanks.
I bottle condition all of my beers. I am not set up to keg or do true closed transfers. So in trying to avoid adding oxygen during bottling, is the headspace in the bottles the biggest problem? If so, does it outweigh other factors to the point where things like attaching a CO2-filled balloon to my bottling bucket is a waste of time and effort? Would I be better off just using the balloon to try to purge the bottle headspace, or should I do both? I guess it's just a matter of having enough balloons, right?
Thanks.